Laura Volkman Vineyards
Laura Volkman calls herself a New World winegrower with an old world philosophy. “we let the fruit
make the wine.” Hard work in the vineyard is aimed at farming balanced vines that produce wines
true to the varietal and the vintage. The wines are handcrafted using gravity flow techniques at August Cellars (a cooperative facility in which several winemakers lease space) in Newberg. The Volkman
Vineyard is located a ¼ mile up the hill from the winery.
Laura’s long time dream of owning a vineyard came true when she and her husband Jim purchased a
small farm in Yamhill County. Together they cleared the land and planted vines. Laura learned the art
of winemaking through constant inquiry, training at the Northwest Viticulture Center in Salem, Oregon,
and interning for two years with Mike Etzel, the long-time winemaker at Beaux Freres. Her first release was in 2004 and already her wines have garnered attention among wine enthusiasts and the
press.
For the 2006 vintage, she has three Pinot Noirs and a Chardonnay. The
Jacob Estate Pinot Noir (14.4% alc., 135 cases, $42) is her flagship wine
sourced from the east block of the Volkman Vineyard. The clones are
114, 115 and 777. This is the most robust and more darkly fruited of her Pinot Noirs. The Rachel Estate
Pinot Noir (14.2% alc., 135 cases, $38) is from the west block of the Volkman
Vineyard and includes clones 114, 667 and Pommard. It is a little more
feminine and pretty wine. The two estate Pinot Noirs will be released in
May, 2008 and I am anxious to try them. The labels are quite striking and
the artwork depicting Laura in her vineyard is by watercolor artist Terry
Peasley (www.terrypeasleyart.com)
2006 Laura Volkman Vineyards Bella Oregon Chardonnay
13.8% alc., $25.
·
Clear bright yellow in
color. Yeasty aromatics followed by poised citrus, herb and oak flavors nicely composed. Brisk acidity
leads to a clean and refreshing finish. I like this a lot. Now that proper clones of Chardonnay are
planted in Oregon and winemakers used to crafting Pinot Noir have got the hang of it, there are many
impressive examples of Chardonnay now being offered throughout the state.
2006 Laura Volkman Vineyards St. James Estate Private Reserve
14.4% alc., $30. She says this “cute little
cuvee was made for my husband but it’s too good to drink all by himself.” Several Dijon clones with a
small amount of Pommard blended in.
·
On the nose there are dark red fruits, a little good funk, and a hint
of oak. Brisk and lively in the mouth with spiced cherries and berries and a complimentary citrus note.
Very clean mouth feel. Perfectly fine.
Laura Volkman Vineyards address is 13000 N.E. Quarry Road (off 99W), Newberg (August West
Cellars). Tasting by appointment. The wines are sold through a mailing list or by contacting Laura at
503-806-4047. Discount for case purchases. The website is www.volkmanvineyards.com.
